You are here: Home / Archives for School Board

Finding College Textbooks at a Nice Price

July 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A Picture of a eBook

Image via Wikipedia

It’s no secret higher education runs a pretty penny. The cost of college has increased greatly over the years. Not only do students have to pay for housing and tuition, but they have to get textbooks. Textbooks are also a pretty penny. Back in 2008, college students spent anywhere from $700 to over $1,000 to buy the books they were required to have for the academic year.  Finding a bargain on textbooks eases the burden of financial obligation. Let’s look buying textbooks at a nice price.

Go used. Buying used textbooks is not a new thing. At the end of the semester, students who will not need their textbooks any longer will be happy to have someone else take them off their hands.  Sure, they often have the option of selling them back to the campus bookstore. But there are those students who opt to sell them directly to the buyer. By checking out who’s selling their used sociology or calculus textbook, you can get what you need at a fraction of the price.

Go digital. Do you prefer to download your reading material? Check out getting your next textbook in an eBook format. Many textbooks are offered at a savings to you. Amazon.com and sites like CourseSmart have a variety of textbooks available to buy and download. Find the book you need and download it to your eReader or other device. An enticing advantage of a mobile device like an eReader is not throwing out your shoulder carrying all those heavy books.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: , ,

Accessing Your School’s Computer Lab from Home

May 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

They want convenience and portability. Young people today demand this from their electronic gadgets and they want it in education as well. They want instant access to information to complete assignments, at any hour of the day or night. To meet the needs of today’s students, schools must expand campuses into cyberspace. One way education is meeting this demand is by allowing access to the school’s computer lab from home or any other remote location.

The days of going into the computer lab at school to complete an assignment are over. Laptops and electronic tablets have changed how people do their computer work, so the top schools are setting up programs for students to be connected to the tools used in the lab anytime they are online. They can connect to the school site from home, an Internet cafe or even a park that has wi-fi service.

Dell’s virtual labs is one of the systems serving college campuses to provide students with remote access to the main lab. It allows the student who is working online to have all the resources from the lab as they work on a project in their dorm room or even back home on break. The virtual lab can also make sure that class work continues if the campus would have to be shutdown for bad weather or any other reason.

It is critical to the future of education that young people be given the tools that they need to succeed in the digital age. A big step in this direction is improving their access to the tools and data that they need to complete their assignments.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: , ,

The Positives and Negatives of the Advanced Placement Program

March 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Advanced Placement Program, or AP Program, is well-known by many high school students in America today. Many juniors and seniors spend their days with a head in a textbook, trying to tackle reading lists, absorb vocabulary words, and memorize historical dates in efforts to earn the coveted 5 on the AP exam.

The AP program prepares high school students for college-level academics. The programs are available in a number of subject areas, from World History to Latin. Students can take courses designed to help them prepare for the exam, held in the spring of the academic year, or they can study on their own.

The AP program is widely accepted in American high schools, and seems to encourage students to push themselves academically. However, AP courses also run the risk of simply teaching students to perform well on a test rather than learn critical thinking skills.

One of the advantages of taking the AP exam is that students who earn a 4 or a 5 on an AP exam in a certain subject area can receive college credit. For example, a student who earns a 4 in AP English may be exempt from Freshman English in her college. This allows high school students not only to prepare for college, but actually perform at the college level, which can give them a jump start when they matriculate and can alleviate college costs.

AP Programs are so widely accepted among colleges and universities that it is a no-brainer that high-performing high school students, or those students that want a challenge, should take the exams, But it can also be beneficial to consider International Bacchalaureate or other programs that can also provide college credit and academic challenge.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: , ,

High Achieving Schools Believe All Students Can Succeed

March 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are certain criteria that separate a high achieving school from those that aren’t.  These schools offer an inviting environment for student engagement.  Expectations are high for students and teachers alike, and respect is mutual.  The work ethic is strong and the morale is high.  The goals and focus of the school is agreed upon by the principal, teachers, and staff. With the main focus being on the instructional programs used and the achievement of the students.  There is an emphasis on and special instruction provided for English and math skills.  State standards are used to design the curriculum and assess the progress of the students and teachers.
Teachers in a high achieving school are committed to their students and believe they all can achieve.  They appreciate each child for who he is and they exhibit an infectious love of learning.  Students in high-achieving high schools graduate on time and have plans for secondary education.
Since it is assumed that every child will succeed, students must master all their work before they are promoted to the next level.  If a student has difficulties the teacher will diagnosis the problem and help the child overcome them.  This dedication forms the basis for relationships that last and continue from one year to the next, giving the student a community of caring adults who believe in their ability to succeed.                                                                             If your child’s school doesn’t meet these criteria there are steps you can take to bring about change.  You and your child have the right to expect academic excellence from the school he attends.  Voice your concerns at parent-teachers conferences and school board meetings.  Check your state’s education website to see how your school rates on the “School Report Card”.  Partner with other concerned parents to effect positive change in school policy and academic excellence.
Graduates from high performing schools, are often better prepared to secure good employment or pursue higher education, because of their advanced skills in English and math.  Many of the schools expect their students to continue on to college and actively seek out scholarship opportunities.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: , ,

Grading Our Schools: America’s Standardized Tests Aren’t Performing

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Children growing up in America today are familiar with SATs, or standardized tests that measure student performance on basic educational standards. These standardized tests are not only used to measure student performance, but also measure school performance. Depending on student performance, the school will be evaluated for funding, additional tutoring, an enhanced curriculum, or the possibility of new or more teachers. Those multiple choice questions on SATs can really help or hurt a school. Are standardized tests really the best way to measure school performance?

In early America, standardize tests consisted of written essays and oral exams. It wasn’t until the early 1900s when multiple-choice standardized tests were introduced. Multiple-choice questions helped to streamline the process of test evaluation. It wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s when standardized testing became widespread, encouraged by the government as a way to measure student and school performance across the board, and in 2002, the No Child Left Behind Act made this a federal requirement. Essay testing has only been a part of standardized testing in the Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. These programs cultivate and test students who perform at a higher level than federal standards.

Although the No Child Left Behind Act encouraged standardized testing as a measure of school performance, the Race to the Top act passed by Congress during President Obama’s term encourages state and school initiative in educational reform and performance. The Race to the Top act seems to be a positive step towards encouraging initiative and creative thinking on the part of teachers and educators, rather than an SAT board.

While standardized testing can help evaluate school and student performance, testing like this seems cursory and too generalized to be effective and to encourage the creativity, applied thinking, and initiative needed to teach students. It is vital that federal programs encourage schools to go above and beyond standardized testing.

Filed Under: Requirements, School Board Tagged With: , ,

Gently Prepare Your Child For Kindergarten

February 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment
EVZARO.

Image via Wikipedia

In the past kindergarten was designed to introduce children to the social skills they would need before starting their first year of school.  This was done in a fun and relaxed atmosphere of exploration and listening to stories.  The atmosphere has changed, and more and more, parents are feeling the pressure to prepare their children for the higher expectations placed on their children.  Preschools are stepping in and taking on the role of making sure these expectations are met. It is more important than ever for parents to find a preschool program that best suits the learning style of their child.  The best schools will find the balance of preparing the child without putting too much pressure on him.
Young children learn best with hands-on activities that involve their senses.  Their fine motor skills are often not developed enough for pencil and paper type learning.  They will have years of this type of learning ahead of them.  Preschool should be the time for fun activities and multi-sensory learning.
Preschool aged children are not wired to sit still.  Their learning experience should allow for lots of movement, singing, dancing, and lots of wiggle time.  If they are asked to sit still for more than 15 or 20 minutes, they will get bored and lose interest in the lesson being taught.  Too much pressure and learning tactics designed for older children will lead to frustration and could lead to a negative response to learning that may stay with him throughout his educational life.  Age appropriate, engaging teaching methods will excite him about the learning process, and encourage him to want to learn more.
If your child is having trouble at his school and is unhappy, bored, or pressured, go to class with him and observe the teaching methods used.  They may not be suitable to your child’s needs.  Preschool is the time for him to have fun and become engaged in the learning process.  While you want him to be prepared for Kindergarten, you don’t want him to become disillusioned with school before he even starts.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: ,

Take Care of Your Student Loans To Avoid Default

February 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Most students will find it necessary to take out student loans in order to earn their degree.  Once you have graduated you will be faced with the reality of paying your loans back.  In order to protect your credit, keep your payments affordable, and avoid unnecessary fees, you need to stay on top of your student loans.
The first step in loan repayment is to know who your lender is, how much you owe, and what the repayment status is of the loan.  Often students will have loans from more than one source, so it is important that you are taking care of all you loans.  If you have trouble finding your loan information, you can check with your school’s financial aid office for contact information.  The grace period on most federal loans is 6 months after leaving school, but it may be different on private loans, so again you need to check with the lender.
Once your grace period is up, your federal loan payments will be automatically calculated on a 20-year repayment plan.  This may not fit all budgets, especially if you don’t find work right away.  There are other options available for those who can’t make the standard payment set up by the lender.  There are deferments, which will suspend your payments, and alternative repayment plans which will lower your monthly payment, but will extend payback period and add more interest to the loan.  Newly available is an income based repayment program.  This bases your payments on a percentage of your income and will forgive any remaining loan after 25 years providing you have established and maintained a good payment record.
Maintain communication with your lender.  Notify them of any changes in your contact information.  Read all correspondence you get from them and talk with them if you run into financial problems that may stop you from making your payments.  They will work with you and give you options to avoid going into default with your loan.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: ,

Social and Emotional Learning Programs Can Lead To Academic Achievement

February 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

According to a report published in the journal Child Development, students improve their grades and score higher on standardized tests, when they participate in social and emotional learning programs.  The difference between students who participate and those who don’t is significant, and is equal to a student who previously ranked academically in the middle or his class, progressing to the top 40%.
The improvement was noted in other areas as well.  Students showed positive behaviors such as helping other students and cooperating in the classroom.  They also demonstrated better attitudes, had less emotional stress, fewer problems with conduct, and were socially more adept than their peers.
Social and emotional learning can be accomplished in many ways, from after school programs, school activities, and incorporating it into the standard curriculum.  The training is meant to provide a foundation to traditional academic learning, giving students training in self-awareness, time management, decision making, and getting along with their peers.
Studies done on social and emotional learning programs have shown that the most effective methods follow, what they called, the SAFE model.  This is broken down as Sequenced, or step-by-step instruction; Active learning using such things as role playing; providing enough time to Focus on the lessons provided; and being Explicit in defining what the learning goals are.  An effective program will implement all four of the learning methods.
When students are more self-aware, calm, and cooperative, they are better suited to achieve the academic goals set before them.  It also makes for more efficient teaching when behavior problems in the classroom are minimized or eliminated altogether and the students time on task is increased.
Focusing on social and emotional learning, can prevent some of the small problems, like disrespect for fellow students and authority figures, that can lead to bigger ones, such as bullying.  Students who are emotionally secure will feel better about themselves and will be more conducive to achieving academic goals.

Filed Under: Education, School Board Tagged With: , ,

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act

January 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was released by the Obama administration in March of 2009.  It is a blueprint for reform and challenges America to set educational standards in place that will put the country on a path that will lead to global leadership.  Incentives are provided to states that raise academic standards that will prepare students for college and workplace success. It also sets up accountability systems to track student growth and measure their progress toward the goal of all students graduating and succeeding in post-secondary education.
At the heart of educational reform is the evaluation of teachers.  The plan calls for states to develop evaluation and support systems designed to identify effective teachers and principals.  Among other factors, the evaluation will be based on student growth.   They will help to improve learning practices and will support schools who ambitiously recruit, reward, and promote effective principals and teachers.  The blueprint provides funds to states that allow effective teachers and teaching methods to be put in place in high minority, high poverty schools.
The ambitious goal set forth by the blueprint is that by 2020, all students will graduate or be on track to graduate, prepared for college and a career. Systems will be put in place to reward schools that do the most to reach this goal.  The low performing schools will be required to make drastic changes in order to ensure student improvement and progress toward reaching the goals set forth by the blueprint.  States will be required to support the schools, teachers, and principals to succeed in reaching the goals.
With the accountability set forth by the ESEA, from those agencies that share the responsibility for improving the outcome of our students, they will succeed in reaching the goal of all students graduating by the year 2020.

Filed Under: School Board Tagged With:

Pros and Cons of Going Back to School

December 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Several close friends and family members of mine have recently taken a big step and decided to go back to school to finish their degrees (or start new, advanced degrees). This has made me wonder whether or not I should do the same.

In order to help me decide, I made a list of the pros and cons of going back to school as an adult. Hopefully this will help you if you are considering the same thing:

Pros:
- More opportunities for jobs. It’s no secret that the job market is tough and competition for a good job is fierce. Going back to school for a degree puts you a step ahead of the competition and makes you stand out as a potential candidate.

- Lots of ways to get your degree. You can go to night classes, attend a traditional campus-based school, or get your degree completely online at your own schedule while working full time or taking care of a family.

Cons:
- Expensive. School is expensive. However, you can get a variety of student loans and grants to help you pay for school. If you qualify for grants, you don’t have to pay them back.

- Time consuming. Getting a degree is time consuming and takes discipline and dedication. If your energy is already going towards a job or a family, it could be hard to find the motivation to work on your classes in your spare time.

In my opinion, the benefits of heading back to school outweigh the cons! If you do decide to go back to school, make sure you choose a good program. The Internet can be a good place to research; for example, onlinembarankings.com helps you search for MBA programs that fit exactly what you’re looking for.
Filed Under: Education, General, School Board Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
«Older Posts